Russia

Taylor Kuznia and Brady Krogstad

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The Land

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The pictures shown above are of the Caucasus Mountains. These mountains lie between the Black and Caspian Sea. It reaches the highest elevation at Mount Elbrus, an extinct volcano that reaches 18,510 feet. Which is also the highest point in Russia.

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Lake Baikal lies in southern Siberia. It is nearly 400 miles long, 40 miles wide, and over a mile deep. Making it the third-largest lake in Asia and the deepest freshwater lake in the World.

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Mount. Altai is where Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan come together.


Climate and Vegetation

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Shown above is the Vegetation map of Russia. Russia is 75% forests. The Taiga belt is a forest belt that grows in Russia. Therefore only about 10% of land is used for agriculture. Chernosium (rich fertile soil that is great for farming) also grows in Russia.

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Much of Russia experiences extreme cold and long winters because of its location in the high latitudes. In the country's remotest nothern plateaus, the harsh terrain softens only during the very breif summer.

Population and Culture

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Russia is home to more then 70 distinct ethnic groups. Ethnic Russians are part of a larger ethnic group known as the Slavs. About 75% of all Russians live in western Russia because of the rich soil, water ways, and milder climates. Moscow is Russia's capital. 25% of Russia's population lives in Siberia.

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As for The Arts, The Soviet government limited individual artistic expression and believed that it was the artists' duty to glorify the government's achievements in their works. If an artist didn't follow their rules they would be punished.

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The Soviet government strongly promotes Atheism. The Easter Orthodox Church had been central to Russian culture for 1000 years before the Communist Revolution. Many Catholic churches have been destroyed by the Soviet's. Islam is the second-largest religion in Russia and is enjoying a rebirth.


History and Government

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Russia's historical roots go back to the A.D. 600's, when slav farmers, hunters, and fishers settled near the waterways of the Northern European Plain.

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A long cycle of halfhearted reforms, government repression,and the American and French Revolution encouraged the desire among educated Russians to open up Russian society.

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The breakup of the Soviet Union required leaders to change their ideas about governing a super power in an increasingly interconnected world. Many satellites overthrew their Communist rulers in 1998.

Economy

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Russia's transition to a market economy included restructuring agriculture, privatizing industry, opening markets to foreign investors, and managing resources more efficiently.

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Russia has focused on becoming a full partner in the global community by expanding trade and building international relationships.

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Global demand for natural resources such as oil and timber has created a difficult challenge for Russia-- how to manage its natural resources and balance economic growth with enviromental conservation.